I'm back.

Had an awesome week in the park. Pictures are coming....

I'm off!

I'll be in Abel Tasman until Saturday afternoon (that's Friday evening for most of you) so no updates for awhile.

It should be a good warm-up for the Milford Track, since I have to carry everything, but without any trecherous Mt. Doom-like climbs.

Lots of pictures at the end of the week!

Interislander ferry.

Tomorrow morning I'm taking the ferry south to Picton. Then, hopping on a bus to Nelson. Should be about six or seven hours of travel.

I'm making my way to Abel Tasman National Park to start hiking on Tuesday.

Wellington

Wellington is a really cool town. It's compact, so easy to walk around. Has some interesting public spaces and architecture. And, a great museum of NZ called Te Papa.

Today, we fly.

Mara is going all the way back to NC and I'm taking a quick flight down to Wellington (again, cheaper than the bus).

The last drive.

We took an involuntary, but scenic, detour somewhere between Turangi and Auckland.

Happy Thanksgiving.

We're celebrating today (Friday) in solidarity with you all (since we're a day ahead).

The day after.

We're both a little sore after climbing the volcano for three hours and then walking down the other side for about five. It was a long walk for a one-day trek.

Lake views.

Mara.

Can you see the path?

The Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake.

In front of the Blue Lake.

The Red Crater.

What we left behind us.

This was a one-way crossing.

Here we go. Mt. Ngauruhoe.

Tomorrow, we climb Mt. Doom.

Seriously. We're hiking the Tongariro Crossing. Eight hours trekking across volcanoes.

More Art Deco Napier.

You asked for it.

Mara. Me. Mirrorball. Marine Parade. Napier.

(Mara says, "Gazing into the eye of Sauron. There will be no dawn for men.")

Art Deco Napier.

Backpacker Stereo.

It works. Well, well enough.

Napier.

So much to do here. I don't think either of us are ready to leave yet.

Someone tell me.

Where is Old Zealand anyway?

Tuesday...uh, yeah, more wine tastings.

This time on bikes!

We cycled around Hawkes Bay visiting more wineries, a brewery/cidery?, and a chocolate factory. Fun.

Wine Tasting. Mmmmm.

This, too.

This is real.

Near Coromandel Peninsula, NZ.

Today. Wine Tour.

Mara and I went on a wine tasting tour to four Hawkes Bay wineries. Great Chardonnay, Viognier, Reisling and Sangiovese.

"Wow. Look at that!"

You say that about every two minutes when driving in NZ. It is incredible. Hopefully, I can upload some pictures tomorrow.

We rented a car.

I'm driving since the left is easy for me now. Yesterday we left Auckland airport and drove east to the Coromondel Peninsula. Amazing. Today, before we left the woman's house where we stayed, we watched her feed the eels in the creek. Then, we drove from Coromandel Town down to Napier.

Mara has arrived!

We've been laughing a lot. She is totally free of jet lag, too. I'm impressed.

Auckland.

A ho-hum town. Spending my time planning for hiking/trekking/tramping (whatever you want to call it).

Abel Tasman National Park.

I'll be there for four days of hiking at the end of the month. It's at the top of the South Island. Milford Sound is at the bottom.

Milford Sound.

I just booked a four-day "tramp" through Fiordland National Park to the Milford Sound for December. This is supposed to be one of the most spectacular hikes in the world (and was recommended by every kiwi I met through my travels). The Department of Conservation in NZ only allows 40 people on the path each day. I can't wait to get there.

Two days to kill in Auckland.

Then Mara arrives!

New Zealand bound.

Tomorrow morning I'm flying to Auckland.

Aussie Creatures.

Kangaroos, giant lizard, emu. Also, koalas, wombats, wedge-tailed eagles and tons of smaller birds, Tasmanian devils, dingos, echidnas, etc. Bizarre creatures on this continent.

Bianca and Ben.

The Jolleys (my Adelaide hosts) in the McLaren Vale.

It had to be done.

Today.

Today, I'm flying from Melbourne to Sydney (the plane ticket was $20 cheaper than the bus ticket).

Adelaide.

I've been catching up with more old friends in Adelaide. I used to baby-sit for an Australian family when I was in high school and they live in Adelaide now. It's been great.

Adelaide's Famous Pea Floater

A salt lake in Coorong National Park.

I'd never seen one of these before. I had to pull over and sit for awhile.

The Great Ocean Road.

I stopped for a few walks in the rainforest on the way.

I was just about the only person on the road.

Reminder.

Prius.

The Prius is awesome. I can't tell you yet how little gas I've used but I've been driving for two days straight and I still have half a tank. I have no idea the size of the tank but, you know, that's something. Right?

Robe

I'm in Robe. South Australia. Australia.

Pictures of the drive from Melbourne to Warnambool (yesterday) and Warnambool to Robe (today) are forthcoming.

Maybe when I get to Adelaide tomorrow night?

Making a move.

Tomorrow I'm picking up a Prius and driving west through Victoria on the Great Ocean Road, eventually reaching Adelaide on Thursday night or Friday.

I have to admit I've enjoyed being lazy for the last week.

It's cold in Melbourne!

Brrrrr. Rainy, too, but they need it. I don't mind.

Photos

I'm having trouble uploading photos here. Maybe because Bianca has a mac. Not quite sure.

I'm still here in Melbourne

Just don't have much to report. I've been going to the gym and wandering around the city while Bianca works on the final stages of her PhD.